Squatters, armed encroachers stalling flood control projects – Adjei-Mensah Korsah
Former Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development and Member of Parliament for Techiman South, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, has claimed that squatters and suspected criminal groups occupying project sites are delaying critical flood control works under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) programme.
According to him, some areas designated for flood mitigation projects in Accra have been encroached upon, making it difficult for contractors and implementing agencies to access the sites and continue work.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Mr. Korsah said Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee engaged officials from the Ministry and the World Bank after concerns emerged over delays affecting the programme.
He explained that the committee was informed that difficulties in gaining access to project locations had become a major setback to the implementation of GARID, which was introduced to improve flood management and resilience in Accra and nearby communities.
Mr. Korsah stated that officials indicated some squatters occupying the sites were allegedly armed and had threatened workers attempting to carry out the projects.
He stressed that funding for the programme had already been secured through the World Bank, insisting that the delays were not due to financial constraints but rather the inability to reclaim encroached areas for the projects.
He questioned why authorities had not taken stronger action to clear the occupied sites, particularly at a time when recurring floods continue to affect many parts of the country.
Mr. Korsah argued that if security personnel can be deployed for other operations, similar action should be taken to remove individuals obstructing major national flood control projects.
The GARID programme, supported by the World Bank, was launched to strengthen flood risk management and improve resilience in flood-prone communities across the Greater Accra Region.
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